Discovery of alternative splicing pathways that promote lethal castrate resistant prostate cancer

About this project

Improve prostate cancer treatment

If you are seeking to advance your career in the health, medical & care industry and are concerned about prostate cancer treatment, the University of South Australia – Australia’s University of Enterprise – is offering a hands-on project-based PhD within the Centre for Cancer Biology.  

Current drug treatments for men with metastatic prostate cancer involve androgen deprivation therapies, but these ultimately fail because the residual cancer becomes resistant to these drugs. We have discovered an alternative splicing pathway that is strongly associated with men that develop castrate resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). 

This Project will identify specific alternative splicing events that directly contribute to the development of CRPC using advanced molecular techniques combined with bioinformatic analysis and mouse models. It will uncover new, unexplored avenues for improved prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment of lethal forms of this disease.

What you’ll do

Building on our existing research you will investigate alternative splicing mechanisms that contribute to the development of castrate resistant prostate cancer. This will include using cutting edge molecular techniques including CRISPR genome editing to manipulate alternatively spliced targets, RNA sequencing, and mouse models of prostate cancer.

Where you’ll be based

You’ll be based at the Centre for Cancer Biology (CCB) on UniSA’s City West campus. CCB is a medical research institute which carries out a world-class program of innovative research, making breakthrough discoveries in the fundamental causes of cancer, and translating these discoveries into new ways to prevent and treat this group of diseases. 

The CCB is an alliance between SA Pathology and the University of South Australia and boasts the largest concentration of cancer research in South Australia, currently hosting 22 full-time research group leaders and their teams. 

CCB laboratories carry out research in leukaemia, breast cancer, prostate cancer, skin cancer, brain cancer and colon cancer, focussing in the specialised areas of gene regulation, molecular signalling, translational oncology and cancer genomics. In addition to these laboratories, our ACRF cancer Genomics Facility is providing access to state-of-the-art genomics research equipment, computing technology and bioinformatics expertise to Adelaide BioMed Precinct and the wider research community. 

Translation of new discoveries into clinical practice is strengthened by the co-localisation of the laboratories within a single Institute, as well as its proximity and close collaboration with the Royal Adelaide Hospital, the University of South Australia, the University of Adelaide and SAHMRI. 

The CCB also has alliances with leading pharmaceutical companies to rapidly exploit new discoveries. The Institute aims to be a hub of internationally recognized cancer research excellence, achieving tangible outcomes for cancer patients. 

The CCB is a member of the Association of Australian Medical Research Institutes (AAMRI). Financial Support 

This project is funded for reasonable research expenses. Additionally, a living allowance scholarship of $35,200 per annum is available to Australian and New Zealand citizens, and permanent residents of Australia, including permanent humanitarian visa holders. Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants will be eligible to receive an increased stipend rate of $52,352 per annum (2025 rate). A fee-offset or waiver for the standard term of the program is also included. For full terms and benefits of the scholarship please refer to our scholarship information for domestic students or international students.

Eligibility and Selection

This project is open to applications from both Domestic and International applicants.

Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria for entrance into a PhD. 

Applicants who can also demonstrate the following will be highly regarded:

• Experience with mouse models of cancer
• Experience and/or a willingness to learn bioinformatics

All applications that meet the eligibility and selection criteria will be considered for this project. A merit selection process will be used to determine the successful candidate.

The successful applicant is expected to study full-time and to be based at our City West campus in the heart of Adelaide. 

Essential Dates 

Applicants are expected to start in a timely fashion upon receipt of an offer. Extended deferral periods are not available. Applications close on Wednesday, 18 June, 2025.